A pensioner was delighted to see herself as a teen on a new stamp designed to commemorate 75 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day.
90-year-old Bette Williamson was only 14 when she heard the news that WWII was over on May 8, 1945. She immediately went to London’s West End and joined people to celebrate.
Mrs. Williamson, her sister Joan, and their friend Dolly smiled for a photo as they stood next to a man selling US and UK flags and rosettes.
In the photo entitled ‘Jubilant public 1945,’ Mrs. Williamson is joined by George Sumpter, Covent Garden costermonger, who joined the celebration to make a few bobs selling UK and US flags.
The photo is one of the twelve archived photos that have been colorized by colorist Royston Leonard. The joy-filled images are being used on a special set of stamps to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.
“It’s amazing, I never thought I’d see my face on a stamp,” Mrs. Williamson expressed. “My son phoned me and told me and I said ‘I don’t believe a word you’re saying’ I just can’t believe it’s happened.”
Mrs. Williamson, who worked at the Eagle pencil factory with Joan, recalls not having to go to work that special day.
The pensioner said the war and VE day ‘should never be forgotten’ and it is ‘a shame we can’t celebrate this year’ due to coronavirus lockdown.
Royal Mail produced the special stamps using archived photos held by the Imperial War Museum.
8 of the 12 special stamps show scenes of celebration of the war’s end and depict how the news was received across the country.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Replaced!